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Direct Nuclear Pumped Lasers — Status and Potential Applications

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Laser Interaction and Related Plasma Phenomena

Abstract

Recent direct nuclear gumped leaser (DNPL) research is reviewed with emphasis on recent experiments at the U. of I11. employing three gas mixtures (Ne-N2, He-Ne-O2, and He-Hg). Lasing has been obtained in the cases of N2 and Hg, and gain has been observed in O2. All three mixtures are discussed with particular attention to He-Hg where visible laser output on the 6150-Å ion transition in Hg+ has been achieved.

Scaled-up versions of present experimental lasers are considered that potentially capitalize on the unique ability to pump large volumes of high-pressure gases using neutron-initiated nuclear reactions in 3He or UF6 mixtures. A multi-MJ laser based on existing fast-burst reactor technology appears feasible in the near term.

More advanced designs offer even larger energies, but require considerable development. Use of a DNPL to provide improved energy recirculation in a laser-fusion system appears attractive provided appropriate energy storage and pulse shaping techniques can be developed. Possible approaches using either a flowing transfer-type DNPL or a deuterium-rich pellet with a neutron propagation blanket.

Presented at the Fourth Workshop on “Laser Interaction and Related Plasma Phenomena” held at RPI, Troy, New York, November 8–12, 1976.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Illinois, Nuclear Engineering Program, 61801, Urbana, Illinois, USA

    G. H. Miley

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, USA

    Helmut J. Schwarz (Professor of Physics) (Professor of Physics)

  2. The University of New South Wales, Kensington, Sydney, Australia

    Heinrich Hora (Professor of Theoretical Physics) (Professor of Theoretical Physics)

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© 1977 Plenum Press, New York

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Miley, G.H. (1977). Direct Nuclear Pumped Lasers — Status and Potential Applications. In: Schwarz, H.J., Hora, H. (eds) Laser Interaction and Related Plasma Phenomena. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-8103-7_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-8103-7_11

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

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